Short answer
Yes, Amazon Relay lists it. The FAQ asks for workers' compensation "in all jurisdictions where your company operates" and employer's liability of at least $100,000 per occurrence. Amazon's insurance post says companies with W-2 employees need it.
Does Amazon Relay require workers' comp?
Yes, it's on Amazon's list. The Relay FAQ asks for:
- "Workers' compensation insurance in all jurisdictions where your company operates"
- "Employer liability not less than $100,000 per occurrence"
Amazon's insurance requirements post says it another way: "Companies with W-2 employees need Workers' Compensation meeting state guidelines and $100,000 in Employers Liability per occurrence."
Why do Amazon's two wordings matter?
They aren't the same rule.
| Amazon page | Who it covers |
|---|---|
| Relay FAQ | "all jurisdictions where your company operates" |
| Insurance post | "Companies with W-2 employees" |
The FAQ names no exception for a company with no employees. The post ties the rule to W-2 employees. Amazon doesn't say which one wins.
Amazon also says "Carriers employ their own drivers." They work for you, not Amazon.
Do owner-operators with no employees need workers' comp?
Amazon doesn't say. Neither Relay page covers a one-truck company with no employees. That leaves two questions:
- Your state. Does state law make you carry it? See below.
- Amazon. What will Relay accept from your company? Ask Amazon before you apply.
What do state rules say?
Each state sets its own. Two examples:
Florida (Division of Workers' Compensation):
- Outside construction, "Employers with four (4) or more employees, including business owners who are corporate officers or Limited Liability Company (LLC) members, must have workers' compensation coverage."
- Sole proprietors and partners outside construction "are not employees" unless they choose to be covered.
- "Out-of-state employers must notify their insurance carrier that they are working in Florida."
Not sure which class you're in? Florida points you to the National Council on Compensation Insurance at (800) 622-4123.
Texas (Texas Department of Insurance): "private employers can choose to carry workers' compensation insurance coverage, but it is not required in most cases."
Another state? Ask your state's workers' comp agency. State law tells you what the law asks, not what Relay accepts.
Does a Florida workers' comp exemption count for Relay?
Amazon doesn't publish whether it accepts any state exemption.
Here's what Florida says an exemption is. It lets corporate officers and LLC members "exclude themselves as employees." Exemptions go to those officers and members, "not to the business."
So an exemption applies to you, the officer, and takes you out of coverage. Florida says an exempt officer "may not recover workers' compensation benefits." It doesn't apply to the drivers you hire. Ask Amazon what it accepts before you count on one.
How does Amazon check your coverage?
Through your certificate of insurance. Amazon's insurance post says: "You submit your current insurance details when you apply to Relay. Then our third-party vendor gets the COI from your company's agent, broker, or insurance company on file."
- At application. The FAQ says delays "will be due to validation of insurance information."
- Flagged policy. Work with your provider until it meets Amazon's minimums, then "ensure your provider submits the information directly to FMCSA."
- Renewals. Amazon says to renew "at least two to three weeks before your expiration date." A lapse stops booking. See how to fix an insurance lapse.
How do you ask Amazon about workers' comp?
- Applying? Amazon's FAQ points applicants to Contact Us on the top right of the application page.
- No phone. The FAQ says "Amazon Relay doesn't have an official contact phone number."
- Other routes. Our Relay contact guide lists where Amazon sends each kind of question.
Ask one plain question: what does Relay accept for workers' comp from your company, in your state? Keep the answer in writing.
Once you're onboarded, Amazon's insurance post says it offers onboarded Relay carriers competitive quotes through McGriff Insurance on coverage that meets Amazon's requirements. See our rewards guide.
Other minimums: insurance requirements.
What doesn't Amazon publish about workers' comp?
- Whether it accepts a state exemption certificate
- Whether a company with no W-2 employees, or only 1099 drivers, must show workers' comp
- How it treats Texas employers that don't carry it
- Whether occupational accident insurance can stand in for it
- Which states "where your company operates" covers
- The certificate wording it wants
This isn't legal or insurance advice. Confirm with Amazon, your state agency and your agent.
Where does NudoIQ fit?
Once your coverage clears and you're booking, NudoIQ is a Chrome extension for the Relay load board. It shows net profit on each load from costs you set once, driver pay included. It's independent, not affiliated with Amazon, and it never asks for your Amazon password. Try it 7 days free, no card needed to start, then $49.99 a month. See how the NudoIQ extension works.